Trump and Abe prepare to tee off

Leaders discuss trade but no deal appears imminent

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wave before playing a round of golf at Mobara Country Club, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wave before playing a round of golf at Mobara Country Club, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Photo: Evan Vucci

Photo: Evan Vucci

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President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wave before playing a round of golf at Mobara Country Club, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wave before playing a round of golf at Mobara Country Club, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Photo: Evan Vucci

Trump and Abe prepare to tee off

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Tokyo

Golf never seems to be far behind whenever President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe get together.

Trump was headed to Mobara Country Club, south of Tokyo, on Sunday morning for a round with the Japanese leader — the fifth time they'll play together.

It's part of a continuing charm offense by Abe to stay on Trump's good side amid trade tensions between the two countries and the continued threat of North Korea.

Later Sunday, Abe will introduce Trump to the ancient sport of sumo wrestling by taking Trump to sit ringside at a championship match. Trump will also be presenting his own "President's Cup" trophy to the winner.

Before departing, however, Trump appeared to downplay expectations that he and Abe make significant headway on trade talks. Trump has been seeking a bilateral agreement with Tokyo since pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement two years ago.

White House Correspondent John Roberts tweeted that Trump called him Sunday morning in Tokyo and said that, while he and Abe will be discussing trade during their meetings Sunday and Monday, Trump intends to wait until after Japan's July elections to push for a deal.

Trump also downplayed a series of recent North Korean short-range missile tests, tweeting that they're not a concern for him — even though they are for Japan.